Selector



NOV. 9, 1937. F. G. NlcoLAUs ET AL 2,098,353

SELECTOR Filed Nov. 2l, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ey om 9M,

Nov. 9, 1937. F. G. NxcoLAUs ET Al. 2,098,353

SELECTOR Filed Nov. 21, 19:56 l s sheets-sheet 2 5 @Z o 3 @i NOV. 9, 1937. F G, NICOLAUS ET AL 2,098,353

SELECTOR Filed Nov. 2l, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheetl 3 N, EM.

Patented Nov. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SELECTOR Chicago, Ill.

Application November 21, 1936, Serial No. 112,108

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a selector usable in vending or amusement app-aratus of various for manually selecting one of a number of electric circuits including an open switch. Under any desired condition of use the switch may be closed to complete a circuit for a motor, relay or other motor device to accomplish some result, such as the vending of an article.

The invention relates specically to the selecl() tor structure per se, the same preferably embodying a unit mountable in a cabinet for the apparatus with which the selector is to be used. The selector thus comprises broadly a support of some kind carrying a shifter bar movable manually by l5 a control including visual means serving as an indicator to facilitate selection of any one of a plurality of circuits and the respective open switch therein. The bar carries an electromagnetic coil, which is normally deenergized and 30 when a selection has been made, is located in line with the switch of the selected circuit. Thereafter, when the coil is energized, its armature moves to close the open switch and complete the selected circuit to accomplish the result f, which said completed circuit is intended to perform. Associated with each said switch is a lever operable by the coil armature and serving to open or close the switch, there being further provided for each lever a novel latch means reg) leasably to hold the lever in either switch closing or switch opening position. After a lever has moved to switch closing position a reset mechanism may be operated to restore the lever to switch opening position.

:13 The main object of the invention is to provide an improved selector mechanism for the purposes stated.

Another object is to provide an improved means for closing a selected switch.

. i Another object is to provide an improved resetting mechanism to restore a switch that has been closed, to open position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a simple means for releasably holding the Az5 selector in any selected position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a selector of the kind stated, comprising a small compact unit, which will be foolproof in use and not be likely to get out of order.

:ao Other important objects will become apparent to those versed in this art as the disclosure is more fully made.

In the accompanying sheets of drawings illustrating one form which the invention may assume 55 inv practice:

(Cl. 20o-98) Figure 1 is a general, perspective, elevational View of a cabinet, the front wall of which carries the selector unit' of this invention;

Figure 2 is a general, plan view of the selector mounted in the cabinet with the top of the latter removed to expose the selector structure;

Figure 3 is a vertical, longitudinal cross sectional view through the structure, taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a rear View of the selector;

Figure 5 is an end elevational view with the near side of the cabinet removed for the sake of clearness;

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken through the structure along the line 6 6 of Figure 3, looking in the indicated direction;

Figure 7 is ay detail, sectional view taken along the line I---1 of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows; and,

Figure 8 is a typical wiring diagram to show an organization in which the selector is useful.

A cabinet of any desirable kind housing an apparatus with which the present selector is usable is generally indicated at I0, said housing having a front wall II in which the selector may, for the sake of illustration be mounted, as will presently appear. As appears best in Figures 1 and 2, the front wall II on its exterior face carries a guide block I2, marked off with guide linesnumbered forexample from one to six and corresponding to a like number of open switches and' respective electric circuits to be selected by the selector mechanism. This block I2 is formed with a transverse, elongated, guide slot I3 in which as shown in Figure 3 is slidably carried the stem I4 of a knob handle member I5. Said knob includes a depending nger portion I6 and an upstanding tell-tale pointer eX- tension I'I, which may be positioned relative to the numbered indicator lines on the guide block I2, in an obvious manner. The stem I4 passes longitudinally rearwardly as shown in Figure 3 and through a transverse, elongated slot I8 formed in the wall I I, said stem being surrounded by a. collar I9, as shown.

The rear end of the stem I4 is thus located behind the wall I I where it is rigidly secured, as by welding, to a transversely disposed plate o1' bar 20. side-wise, the plate 20 must move bodily with it. The selector unit disposed behind the wall II Obviously, when the knob I5 is moved CTI Figure 3. Secured to the rear side of these plates as by welding is a U-shaped, Vor channel shaped bracket 22 the bight of which lies flatly against the plates 2l. Said bracket provides two longitudinally extending and transversely spaced vertical walls 23, 2li, the rear ends of which are cross braced by a transverse vertical plate 25. This frame unit may be secured to the rear face of the wall l i by means of screws 26. The end walls 2li, 25 are cut out as at 2l to allow the plate 2l) in its lateral shifting movement to pass through said walls.

The lower edge of the plate 29, as shown in Figures 3 and 6, is formed with a corrugation, providing sin notches 28. Below these notches the frame part 22 carries a longitudinal screw bolt 2B pivotally carrying one end of a pivotal lever E@ on the free end of which is a roller 3! to engage in said notches 28. Between the lever Sil and plate Z2 the bolt 29 is surrounded by a Spacer sleeve 32 around whichis coiled a spring 33, opposite legs ci which are connected between the plate Z2? and lever 3Q in such a manner that the latter is always yieldingly pressed upwardly to seat the roller 3l in a notch 2li.

Substantially midway between its ends the shifter plate or bar 263 has rigidly secured to its back side a bracket 3d for carrying a solenoid 35 the armature E25 of which is horizontally and longitudinally disposed, This solenoid obviously shifts with the bar 2d. The solenoid by means of wires 3l is placed in circuit with a source of energy, such for example, as a battery 38, said circuit normally being open by any suitable form of switch, such for example as the push button switch 39 shown, which further by way of example may be mounted on the front wall l i.

As seen best in Figures 2, 3, and 4 the cross plate 25 carries six spacedinsulator blocks fle, each carrying a pair of upstandingspring switch arms il the contacts at the upper ends of which are normally gapped apart because of the springiness in the arms di. Incidentally, these switches M respectively line up longitudinally with the six notches 2i? and the numbered marker lines on the block i2.

A shaft Il?? is transversely carried in the end walls` 23, 2li at a point forwardly of the switch carrying bar 25 as shown in Figure 3. This shaft carries a series of independently mounted spacer sleeves e3, of which there are six in the present disclosure respectively including an upstanding arm ll. These arms or levers 41% respectively line up with the switches fifi. Each lever at its upper end facing the switches il carries an insulated roller Z55, said rollers adapted, when the arms i4 are swung rearwardly to engage and hold closed the adjacent switch arms 4l in an obvious manner. The rearward movement of each lever arm M is limited by means of a transverse shaft 36. One side of each switch li is connected by a tap il to a main line wire [i3 as shown in Figure 8 that goes to the source of energy 38. A main line wire i9 leads from the source of energy to one side respectively of a number of electromagnetic motor devices, such as the relay coils 50 shown, for illustrative purposes only. The other side of each relay 553 is connected by a respective tap 5I to the opposite side of the respective switches 4i. It can now be appreciated that when any switch di is closed a corresponding circuit for a relay 5U is completed to energize the latter and cause its operation for any desired purpose.

A latch means individual to each lever 4Q is provided whereby each said lever lll is releasably held latched or locked in either switch [il opening position or switch closing position, This latching means will next be described. At a point above and in front of the top ends of the levers il the end walls 23, 2d carry a cross shaft 52. Said shaft carries six spacer sleeves 53 independently mounted ier rocking movement on the shaft 52, and each sleeve being formed with a bell crank lever having a rearwardly extending arm 5f! and a downwardly extending arm 55. The downwardly extending arm 5F of each said bell crank lever has hooked to it one end of a tension spring 56, the opposite ends of said springs being hooked over a transverse shaft 5l in the manner shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The leg or arm 5d of each bell crank lever has its under edge notched out to provide two steps 58 and 5S. The springs it will now be seen, serve to pull the extensions fait downwardly so that when an associated lever M- is in switch il closing position, as seen in dotted lines in Figure 3, the step 59 is effective to engage the top end of the lever iii yield-ably to latch it in such position; and, when the lever il is in the full line, switch opening position, then the step ii is effective to engage the top end of the lever lid and thus hold the lever latched in its other position. A reset means is also provided to enable restoration to normal position of any lever i4 that may have been moved to close a switch, and such means will now be described.

The end walls 23, 2li carry in a position above and forwardly of the shaft d, a transverse shaft BQ. (See Figures 3, 5, and 7.) On this shaft E@ is pivotally hung a bail shaped lever opposite legs of which may be pressed by a spring 62 mounted in any suitable manner to swing the lever 6i normally forwardly. Said lever bail El is so positioned that when it is swung rearwardly it will engage any bell crank 54 that may have been lowered to the dotted line position shown in Figure 3. The bail lever lil is swung against the pressure of the spring means e2 by mechanism comprising a reset relay or solenoid 63 carried on the wall 2S on its outer side, by means of a suitable bracket Sil. This solenoid has an armature, or movable core 55, which at its free end is notched, as at Se ior the reception of a transverse pin e? carried at the lower end of a pendant lever 5S which at its upper end is fulcrumed on the extended end of the shaft e!) as best shown in Figure 7. An intermediate portion of the lever e8 carries rigidly a transverse pin 69 connected in any desired manner rigidly to the adjacent end of the bail lever di and passing through an arcuate siot l@ in the adjacent wall 23 to make such connection possible.

As seen best in Figures 2 and 8 this reset solenoid 63 is connected at one side by a wire ll to the wire i8 and battery S8, while the other side thereof is connected by a wire 'l2 with a push button switch le mounted in any convenient place as shown. A wire lil may lead from said switch 73 to the source oiz energy to complete a circuit as will now be clear. This completes the detailed description of the parts of the improved selector. Its mode of operation and use will now be summarized.

Each of the six switches il is normally open and as a result the circuits which they respectively control to the motor devices 59 are also open with the devices 5U deenergized. The number of the switches li can be varied to suit requirement's. Six have herein been shown merely for the sake of illustration. Further, the cirn f al cuits controlled by the switches 4| can be so arranged by one skilled in the art as to control but a single motor device common to all circuits, if desired.

Continuing with the description, each lever arm 44 is in the full line position shown in Figure 3, the bell crank latches 54 and the reset bail 5| also being shown in full lines in said figure in their normal starting positions. We will assume that it is desired to select and operate any one of the six circuits for a device 5i! and to close the switch 4| therefor to cause energization of the selected device. Accordingly, the `operator grasps the knob l5, I6 and shifts the same to the selected numbered line position appearing on the block I2. This, of course, moves the stem |4 and bar 20, and with it the solenoid 35. The roller 3| of the spring pressed lever yieldably rides in and out of the notches 28 in the bar or plate 20 until the latter has been brought to rest in its selected position of adjustment. When the bar 20 is brought to rest in the selected position the roller 3| releasably and yieldably locks the plate 2G in such position. The solenoid 35 is now longitudinally alined with a lever 44 and associated switch 4| in a manner that will be readily understood.

The operator next closes the button switch 39 to complete a circuit to cause energization of the solenoid whereupon its core 38 is projected rearwardly to engage and push the lever 44 rearwardly, causing its roller 45 to engage and press the alined spring switch 4| rearwardly to close its contacts in the manner shown in the dotted lines in Figure 3. With the switch 4| closed a circuit is completed to energize the device therein for any purpose desired, such for example, as to operate a vender to dispense an article. The switch 4| thus selected is positively held closed by the notch 59 of the associated bell crank lever 54 in the manner heretofore described. See the dotted line position of a lever 54 in Figure 3.

In resetting the lever 44 to reopen the closed switch 4|, the operator pushes the button 'i3 to complete a circuit for energization of the reset solenoid 63, thus through the connections described, to swing the bail lever 5| rearwardly to engage the cocked bell crank lever 54 and Push it to its raised position, thus freeing the rearwardly swung lever 44. As the spring switch arms 4| snap back to their true upright position to open the switch contacts, the lever 44 is forced back in a forward direction so that the upper end thereof iinally slides under the step 58 of the arm 54 to releasably retain the lever in its vertical position as shown in the full lines in Figure 3. The solenoid 35, of course, may include the usual means in the form of a spring,

i not shown, to retract its core 36. Thus, the parts are once more restored to a starting position ready for the operator to make another selection.

The switches 38 and 13 shown, are merely typical of one manner of control for obviously the f making and breaking of the circuits for the solenoids 36 and 63 may be controlled manually, or automatically in any way desired, depending upon the character of the vender or amusement apparatus organization with which the selector may find use.

It can now be seen that an improved selector has been provided, which achieves all of the desirable objects for the invention heretofore recited.

It is the intention to cover all changes and modifications of the example herein shown for the sake of disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention, as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed is: 5

l. A circuit selector adapted to be carried in a wall member, said selector comprising a bracket, a plate carried in the bracket for endwise movement, a handle element for moving said plate, plurality of normally open switches carried ad jacent the bracket, a cross shaft carried by 'the bracket between the plate and switches, a p1urality of levers individually carried by said shaft for pivotal movement and each lever including switch engaging means to close an adjacent l5 switch, an electromagnetic device carried by the plate and movable thereby to a position adjacent a levei` without operating same, whereby when the electromagnetic device is subsequently energized a lever is moved to engage and close a seswitch.

2. A circuit selector adapted to be carried in a wall member, said selector comprising a bracket, a plate carried in the bracket for endwise movement, a handle element for moving said plate, a plurality of normally open switches carried adjacent the bracket, a plurality of movably mounted switch closing members carried by the bracket respectively adjacent each switch, an electromagnetic device carried by the plate and 30 movable therewith to positions selectively adjacent the switch closing members without closing the switches, saidl members being individually operable by the electromagnetic device when the latter is subsequently energized to cause clcs- 5: ing thereby of a selected switch, and means carried by the bracket to limit the movement of the levers in the direction of the switches.

3. A circuit selector adapted to be carried in a wall member, said selector comprising a bracket, a plate carried in the bracket for endwise movement, a handle element for moving said plate, a plurality of normally open switches carried adjacent the bracket, a plurality of movably mounted switch closing members carried by the bracket respectively adjacent each switch, an electromagnetic device carried by the plate and movable therewith to positions selectively adjacent the switch closing members without operating said members, said members being individually operable by the electromagnetic device when the latter is subsequently energized to cause closing thereby of a selected switch, and means operatively associated with the bracket for yieldingly and releasably locking the plate in any selected position of adjustment.

4i. fi circuit selector adapted te be wall member, said selector com; a number or" normally open sw the bracket, a manually movable by the bracket including an electron vice mcvable therewith to positions electrcmagnetic device with a selected selected switch when the electromagnetic energized, automaticaily acting cai tc a position free of a switch to enable the latter to open.

5. A circuit selector adapted to be carried in a wall member, said selector comprising a bracket, a plurality oi normally open spring switches carried by the bracket, a plate carried by the bracket for shifting movement, a solenoid carried by the plate for movement therewith whereby said solenoid may be alined with a selected switch without closing same, and means pivotally carried by the bracket between the solenoid and switches and operable by the solenoid when the latter is energized to engage and close a Selected switch.

6. A circuit selector adapted to be carried in a wall member, said selector comprising a bracket, a plurality of normally open spring switches carried by the bracket, a plate carried by the bracket for shifting movement, a solenoid carried by the plate for movement therewith whereby said solenoid may be alined with a selected switch without closing same, means for releasably locking the plate a selected position of adjustment, and means movable by the solenoid when the latter is energized from a normal position free of a switch to a position engaging and closing said switch.

'7, A circuit selector adapted to be carried in a wall member, said selector comprising a bracket, a plurality or normally open spring switches carred by the bracket, a plate carried by the bracket for shitting movement, a Solenoid carried by the plate for movement therewith wher^by Said sole noid may be alined with a selected switch without losi same, a plurality of independent levers pivotally carried on a common axis by said bracket, with the levers alined with the respective switches and in a normal position free thereof, a plurality oi" bell crank levers pivoted on a common axis and respectively positioned to engage the aforesaid levers, said bell crank levers including means for engaging and releasably locking the switch levers in either a position free of the switches or a position engaging the switches, said switch levers being operable by the solenoid when the latter is energized selectively to engage and close the switches.

8. A selector comprising a bracket, a plurality i" normally open upright spring switches carried by the bracket, a plate selectively movable on the bra relative to the switches, a solenoid carried o e plate to move therewith, a plurality of upt pivoted levers respectively carried by the bracket for movement from a position free of the switches to a position engaging and closing same, means releasably latching said levers in either position, the levers being selectively operable by the solenoid when energized to close a selected selected switch, and a movaoly mounted member carried by the bracket and operable to engage the latches to free a lever in switch closing position for movement to switch opening position.

10. A selector comprising a bracket, a plurality of normally open upright spring switches carried by the bracket, a plate selectively movable on the bracket relative to the switches, a solenoid carn ried on the plate to move therewith, a plurality or upright pivoted levers respectively carried by the bracket for movement from a position free ci th switches to a position engaging and closing same, means releasably latching said levers in either position, the levers being selectively operable by the solenoid to close a selected switch, a spring pulled swingably mounted bail carried by the bracket, and electromagnetically operated to swing said bail to a position for releasing the latches to free a lever in switch closing position for movement to switch opening position,

ll. A selector comprising a channel bracket presenting an end wall and spaced side walls, a plate carried on the bracket for lateral sliding movement along the end wall, a solenoid carried on the plate, a plurality of normally open switches carried in spaced relationship on the br ckel e tween its side walls, a cross Shaft carrie-d in the side walls of the bracket, and pivoted levers carried by the shaft in positions respectively adjacent the switches and movable by the selen when energized to engage and close a selected switch.

l2. A selector comprising a channel bracket presenting an end wall and spaced side walls, a plate carried on the bracket for lateral sii ing movement along the end wall, a solenoid carried on the plate, a plurality of normally open switche carried in spaced relationship on the bracket between its side walls, one edge of the plate ha g corrugations therein, means for yieldably latciiing the plate in any desired position or adjnst ment relative to a selected switch, said means comprising a spring pressed lever carried by the bracket and having a roller at its free end to engage said corrugations, and means carried by the bracket and operable by the solenoid to and close a selected switch.

13. A selector comprising a channel presenting an end wall and spaced side plate carried on the bracket for lateral translational movement along the end wall, a solenoid carried on the plate, a plurality of normally open switches carried in spaced relationship on the bracket between its side walls, said end wall having an elongated opening .formed therein, a pin connected to the plate and passed through said opening to the opposite face or the end wall, a knob on the pin whereby may be manually shifted in relation t ne bracket, said knob, pin and plate being bodily movable as a unit, and means operable by the solenoid when energized to engage and close a selected switch.

Die frage FRANK G. NICOLAUS. CHARLES J. BREITENSTEIN. 

